Careers in finance require a thorough understanding of the systems in place to move capital and how these systems manage the spending and budgeting of money. Because of the uncertainty that looms in the financial industry, professionals in the field are expected to meticulously monitor trends in spending. However, even the most successful financial players are sometimes forced to admit, "no one bats a thousand."

Though his career in finance is marked with a few blemishes, a former Goldman Sachs executive, Jide J. Zeitlin, has been nominated to lead U.S. financial reform discussions at the United Nations, the Washington Post reports.

Among the blunders in his career, Zeitlin owns a wireless company in India that is being sued for not paying its bills and a pharmaceutical firm he helped finance went bankrupt.

His nomination in spite of these errors reveals the image of an industry in which occasional failure is the norm, and resilience a requirement. Zeitlin told the news source that he takes pride in his 25-year career in the financial industry, which produced hundreds of successful investments and a profitable corporate restructuring effort at Goldman Sachs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, degree courses in investments, taxes, estate planning, and risk management are helpful for those seeking jobs in the financial sector.